Yamaha PortaTone PSR-210 and PSR-310

Regarding this Manual

This manual provides detailed descriptions of the functions and features of your new keyboard, along with important warnings, installation instructions, and safety information. Please read it thoroughly and keep it for future reference.

Table of Contents

The manual covers the following topics:

• The PSR-210 at a glance
• The PSR-310 at a glance
• Setting Up (Location, Handling, Power, Connections)
• The Basics (Power, Volume, Demonstration Songs)
• Selecting and Playing Voices (Keyboard Percussion)
• Auto Harmony
• Sustain
• Touch Response
• Dual Voice
• Split
• Transpose
• Playing with Accompaniment (Styles, Modes, Starting, Tempo, Volume, Fill-in, Stopping)
• Using the Song Book (Demonstration Songs, Minus One)
• Recording and Playing Back Your Music (Sequences, Chains)
• Adding Sound Effects (PSR-310 only)
• MIDI (PSR-310 only) (Remote Control Mode, Multi Mode, MIDI Channels)
• Resetting the PortaTone
• Polyphony
• Troubleshooting
• Specifications

Setting Up

Taking Care of Your PortaTone

Follow these important safety instructions:

• Location: Avoid direct sunlight and extreme heat or moisture.
• Interference from Electromagnetic Fields: Do not use near TVs, radios, or similar equipment to avoid interference.
• Handling: Protect from strong impact and avoid applying excessive force to controls.
• When not Using the PortaTone: Turn off the power switch. Remove batteries if not using for a long time to prevent leakage.
• When Using a Power Adaptor: Disconnect from the outlet if the power cord is damaged, liquid is spilled, or there is a threat of lightning. Always pull the plug, not the cord. Do not exceed extension cord power ratings.
• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth. For stubborn stains, use a slightly moistened cloth. Never use alcohol or thinners.
• Service: Your PortaTone has no user-serviceable parts. Refer problems to your Yamaha dealer. Yamaha is not responsible for damage caused by improper use.

Supplying Power to your Keyboard

The PSR-210 or PSR-310 can be powered by an optional power adaptor or six 1.5V D size batteries.

• Connecting a Power Adaptor: Ensure the power switch is off. Plug the adaptor into the DC IN jack on the rear and then into a wall outlet. Use only Yamaha PA-3, PA-4, or PA-40 adaptors.
• Inserting Batteries: Ensure the power switch is off. Open the battery compartment on the bottom panel, insert six D size batteries following polarity markings, and replace the cover. Batteries are not used when a power adaptor is connected.

Connecting Headphones

Plug a standard stereo headphone plug into the HEADPHONES/AUX OUT jack. The internal speakers will automatically shut off.

Connecting an Amplifier

Connect the amplifier's input jack to the HEADPHONES/AUX OUT jack using a cable.

Connecting a Foot Pedal

Connect a foot pedal (like the Yamaha FC-4 or FC-5) to the SUSTAIN PEDAL jack. This allows notes to sustain after keys are released. Ensure the PortaTone is off when connecting/disconnecting a pedal to avoid reversing the Sustain ON/OFF status.

Inserting a Music Stand

Insert the bottom edge of the music stand into the slot at the top of the control panel.

The Basics

Switching the Keyboard On and Off

Press the POWER switch once to turn the unit on. Press it again to turn it off.

Adjusting the Master Volume

Use the MASTER VOLUME control to adjust the overall sound level.

Listening to a Demonstration Song from the Song Book

The keyboard comes with 15 demonstration songs. Press the DEMO START/STOP button to play them. Use the SONG SELECT + or – buttons to choose songs. Press DEMO START/STOP again to stop playback.

Selecting and Playing Voices

Your keyboard offers 100 voices created with Yamaha's AWM tone generation technology.

• To select a voice: Ensure the VOICE indicator is lit. Use the NUMERIC SELECTION buttons or the + and – buttons to choose from the VOICE list. Voice number 01 (Acoustic Piano) is the default.

Keyboard Percussion

The keyboard keys can also be used to play drum and percussion sounds. Voice numbers 97 (Timpani) and 98 (Steel Drum) are played like normal voices. Voice 99 (Latin Perc) divides the keyboard into five instruments, and voice 00 (Drum Kit) provides a different drum or percussion instrument for each key.

Auto Harmony

This feature adds harmony notes to your melody. You can choose from 5 harmony types.

• To select a type: Press the AUTO HARMONY + or – button. The display will show the harmony type number. Use the + or – buttons to cycle through the types (00: OFF, 01: DUET, 02: TRIO, 03: BLOCK, 04: COUNTRY, 05: OCTAVE).
• Note: Auto Harmony works best with single notes. It is not applied to the left-hand voice in Split mode or to accompaniment sounds.

Sustain

Sustain causes notes to fade gradually after you lift your fingers from the keys.

• To turn Sustain on/off: Press the SUSTAIN button. The indicator light shows when it is on.
• For Split mode: You can turn Sustain on/off independently for the left and right-hand voices by selecting a key in each section and then using the Sustain button. A sustain pedal can also be used.

Touch Response

This feature allows you to control the loudness of the sound by how hard you play the keys.

• To switch Touch Response on/off: Press the TOUCH RESPONSE ON/OFF button. The indicator light shows when it is on.

Dual Voice

This feature allows you to play two voices simultaneously.

• To activate Dual Voice: Press the DUAL VOICE button. The selected voice will play along with a second "Dual" voice. Any voice can be selected as the Dual Voice. Press the button again to turn it off.
• In Split mode, different dual voices can be assigned to the left and right-hand sections.

Split

The Split mode allows you to play two different voices, one with the left hand and one with the right.

• To enter Split mode: Press the MODE button repeatedly until the SPLIT indicator lights up. The default Split Point is C3.
• To change the Split Point: Press the SPLIT POINT CHANGE button, then press a keyboard key to set the new Split Point. The Split Point can be changed in Single Finger and Fingered modes, affecting the accompaniment's playing range. It cannot be changed in Normal mode. Split Points are retained in memory for each mode.

Transpose

You can shift the entire keyboard's pitch up or down in semitone intervals (up to 12 semitones).

• To transpose: Press the TRANSPOSE + or – button. The current transpose value will appear on the MULTI DISPLAY. Use the + or – buttons to adjust the pitch. Press both buttons simultaneously to return to the default (0). Transpose does not affect the Drum Kit voice.

Playing with Accompaniment

Selecting an Accompaniment Style

The PSR-210 offers 50 styles, and the PSR-310 offers 100 styles.

• To select a style: Ensure the STYLE indicator is lit. Use the NUMERIC or + and – SELECTION buttons to choose from the STYLE list. Style number 01 is the default.

Selecting an Accompaniment Mode

There are two modes: Single Finger and Fingered.

• To select a mode: Press the MODE button until the desired mode indicator lights up.
• Single Finger Mode: Easiest for playing chords with one or two fingers. The default Split Point is D2.
• Fingered Mode: Allows playing a wider range of chord types. You play the chords yourself in the left-hand section. The default Split Point is G2.

Starting the Accompaniment

Play a key, key combination, or chord in the left-hand section to start the accompaniment. The Synchro Start mode is indicated by three flashing dots on the MULTI DISPLAY. Press the SYNCHRO START/ENDING button to cancel Synchro Start.

• Other ways to start: Pressing START/STOP immediately starts a rhythm pattern. Pressing INTRO/FILL IN starts an introduction.

Setting the Tempo

The tempo can be adjusted from 40 to 240 beats per minute.

• To adjust tempo: Press the TEMPO + or – button. The current tempo appears on the MULTI DISPLAY. Use the + or – buttons to adjust. Pressing both TEMPO buttons simultaneously recalls the default tempo for the selected style.

Adjusting the Accompaniment Volume

The volume range is from 0 to 24.

• To adjust volume: Press the ACCOMPANIMENT VOLUME + or – button. The current value appears on the MULTI DISPLAY. Use the + or – buttons to adjust. Pressing both buttons simultaneously recalls the default volume (21).

Adding a Fill-in pattern

Press the INTRO/FILL IN button to add a fill-in pattern during accompaniment playback. The normal accompaniment continues from the next measure.

Stopping the Accompaniment

Press the START/STOP button to stop the accompaniment immediately. Pressing the SYNCHRO START/ENDING button adds a brief ending pattern before stopping.

Using the Song Book

Playing Back Demonstration Songs

The Song Book contains 15 demonstration songs.

• To play a song: Press the SONG SELECT + or – button to choose a song. Press the DEMO START/STOP button to play. Press DEMO START/STOP again to stop. You can play along on the keyboard. Settings like Split, Dual Voice, Sustain, Tempo, etc., can be changed during playback.

Minus One

This feature removes the melody part of a demonstration song, allowing you to play it yourself. Refer to pages 25-35 for music scores.

• To play Minus One: Select a song, then press the MINUS ONE button (indicator lights up). Press DEMO START/STOP to play. Play along on the keyboard. You can switch between Minus One and demonstration playback by pressing the MINUS ONE button.

Recording and Playing Back Your Music

The CHORD MEMORY (PSR-210) and MELODY AND CHORD MEMORY (PSR-310) functions allow you to record and play back sequences.

Recording a Sequence

1. Select Single Finger or Fingered mode and an Accompaniment Style.
2. Press a BANK button while holding REC to enter Record Ready mode. The metronome will sound, and three dots will flash on the MULTI DISPLAY.
3. Recording starts when you play a note or chord in the left-hand section (Synchro Start). You can also press START/STOP to begin.
4. Play the required chords and melody (melody recording is for PSR-310 only).
5. Press START/STOP or SYNCHRO START/ENDING to stop recording.

Sequences are retained in memory even when the power is off, provided batteries or an adaptor are used.

Playing Back a Recorded Sequence

1. Press a BANK button to begin playback.
2. Play along on the keyboard. You can change voices, add fill-ins, or change tempo during playback.
3. Press START/STOP to stop playback. Playback also stops if SYNCHRO START/ENDING is pressed.

Programming a Chain

You can program up to 8 steps by pressing BANK 1, BANK 2, and BANK 3 buttons in order. Press the CHAIN button to enter and exit Chain Ready mode.

Playing Back a Programmed Chain

1. Press the CHAIN button to enter Chain Ready mode.
2. Press START/STOP to begin playback.
3. Play along on the keyboard.
4. Press START/STOP to stop playback. Playback also stops if SYNCHRO START/ENDING is pressed.

Adding Sound Effects (PSR-310 only)

The PSR-310 offers 40 sound effects across 10 sets.

• To select and play a sound effect: Ensure the SOUND EFFECT indicator is lit. Use the NUMERIC or + and – SELECTION buttons to choose a Sound Effect set. Press one of the four SOUND EFFECT PADS to play the sound.

MIDI (PSR-310 only)

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) allows MIDI-compatible instruments to communicate.

The Remote Control Mode

This mode allows the PSR-310 to control other MIDI devices or be controlled by them. It is automatically selected when the PSR-310 is turned on.

• To select Remote Control mode: Hold REC and press NUMERIC SELECTION 0. This cycles between Remote Control ("rc") and Multi mode ("l").

Transmitted data includes Velocity, Sustain ON/OFF, Keyboard performance, Program Change messages, and MIDI Clock/Start/Stop messages. Data not transmitted includes Transpose settings and Accompaniment/Song Book/Melody & Chord Memory performance data.

Received data includes Performance data for Accompaniment, Sustain ON/OFF, Program Change messages, and MIDI Start/Stop/Clock messages.

Multi Mode

This mode is used when the PSR-310 acts as a tone generator, receiving data from another MIDI device on multiple channels.

• To select Multi mode: Hold REC and press NUMERIC SELECTION 0.

MIDI Channels

MIDI channels allow communication. You need to match the MIDI channel of the sending and receiving devices.

• MIDI Transmission Channel: Hold REC and press NUMERIC SELECTION 1. Use keyboard keys (C1-Eb2) to select a channel (1-16).
• MIDI Reception Channels: Hold REC and press NUMERIC SELECTION 2. Use keyboard keys (C1-E2) to select a channel (1-16) or ALL channels (OMNI ON).

Resetting the PortaTone

You can reset specific functions to their original default settings.

• Reset (Melody and) Chord Memory: Hold BANK and turn on the PortaTone.
• Reset Chain Memory: Hold CHAIN and turn on the PortaTone.
• Reset Split Point: Hold SPLIT POINT CHANGE and turn on the PortaTone.

Polyphony

The maximum polyphony is 28 notes, including notes from the keyboard, accompaniment, memory, and demo songs. If more than 28 notes are played simultaneously, some may not sound or may be cut off.

Troubleshooting

Problem: "Pop" sound when turning power on/off.
Action: This is normal.

Problem: Accompaniment won't function.
Action: Check if Accompaniment volume is up. Ensure you are using the correct mode (Single Finger/Fingered) and fingering. Release chords completely before playing new ones.

Problem: Accompaniment chords not changing properly.
Action: Ensure proper chord input and mode selection.

Problem: Sound is distorted or intermittent.
Action: Batteries may be depleted. Replace with a full set of new batteries.

Problem: Sustain is on after disconnecting foot switch.
Action: Connect the foot switch again, or turn the power off and then on again.

Specifications

• Keys: 61 regular sized keys (C1-C6) with Touch Response
• Voices: 100 AWM voices
• Polyphony: Maximum 28 notes
• Styles: PSR-210: 50, PSR-310: 100
• Controls: POWER switch, MASTER VOLUME, VOICE/STYLE/SOUND EFFECT buttons, NUMERIC SELECTION buttons, +/- SELECTION buttons, MODE button, TEMPO buttons, TRANSPOSE buttons, SPLIT POINT CHANGE button, AUTO HARMONY, SUSTAIN, TOUCH RESPONSE, DUAL VOICE, ACCOMPANIMENT VOLUME, INTRO/FILL IN, SYNCHRO START/ENDING, START/STOP
• Song Book: 15 songs
• Memory: Melody & Chord Memory (PSR-310), Chord Memory (PSR-210)
• Sound Effects: 4 x 10 voices (PSR-310)
• MIDI: Remote Control, Multi Mode, MIDI IN/OUT (PSR-310)
• Ports: DC IN, Headphones/AUX OUT, SUSTAIN pedal
• Amplifier Output: 2W x 2
• Dimensions: 908 x 344 x 110 mm (W x D x H)
• Weight: 5.1 Kg (without batteries)
• Speaker: 10cm x 2
• Optional Accessories: Headphones, Keyboard Stand, AC Power Adaptor, Foot switch, Music Stand, Foot pedal